Eddie Sotto's take on the current state of the parks (Part II)

[devoy1701]

I'd be happy with one giant indoor, airconditioned, nighttime, glowing Pandoran forest. Sure, tuck in the shops and restaurants near the front (and maybe again at the middle), but otherwise just let it be exploring, much like the Tree of Life trails. Except in air conditioning. With amazing visual effects.

Rides? I probably wouldn't care if there were no rides at all. The Pandora forest is the star, IMHO.

agreed. The dome/indoor structure itself could be themed as if we are in the canopy of the Home Tree (or atleast a portion of it).

I also would really would love to see (and explore) the floating mountains. Though for safety concerns I'm not sure if they would try tackling this one, but would love for them to try to pull this off.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I'd be happy with one giant indoor, airconditioned, nighttime, glowing Pandoran forest. Sure, tuck in the shops and restaurants near the front (and maybe again at the middle), but otherwise just let it be exploring, much like the Tree of Life trails. Except in air conditioning. With amazing visual effects.

Rides? I probably wouldn't care if there were no rides at all. The Pandora forest is the star, IMHO.

I would love this as well. :wave:

 

[deltalove]

Eddie (or Mr. Eddie... Mr. Sotto? ah nevermind),

I'm sorry if this question as already been asked, but I'm a college student interested in becoming an Imagineer. What do I need to do to take steps in the right direction? Is it just an architect/engineer field?

 

[jt04]

I would love this as well. :wave:

Me too. Although I wouldn't mind a dark ride on the scale of Pirates or LWTL.

 

[PirateFrank]

I think one issue that may be driving this is that Cameron's films, like Ridley Scott, tonally are just not "Disney". They are emotional but lack the sentimental feel that you usually find in Pixar or Disney product. Cameron feels more Universal to me and that's one reason that it may be harder to sense a good fit.

Just something to consider.

Nail on the head!

I actually think that Avatar, given the conservation theme of the film, fits very well into DAK.

What doesn't feel right is what you stated above...and I suspect a great deal of people share this sentiment, but haven't yet been able to crystalize it the way you just did, Mr Sotto.


Granted, these same people have also been complaining that Disney Parks has not been doing enough to grab the teen demo from Uni. Ironically, both Disney and Uni have recently announced or built properties that, according to the feel you outlined above, are counter to the respective parks.

I still think Harry Potter would've been better served in a Disney Park and Avatar, better served in Uni....but obviously, that ship sailed when JK turned down Disney....or wait, was it the other way around?

 

[Mouse Detective]

For it to be its own "land", I would think it would have to have a ride or two.

 

[jt04]

For it to be its own "land", I would think it would have to have a ride or two.

They confirmed multiple rides at the annoncement. I expect an e ticket thrill ride. But a D ticket dark ride with no restrictions seems to me to be a no-brainer and a must for the land to succeed. This is an instance where a land really does need something for everyone.

 

[HMF]

Eddie (or Mr. Eddie... Mr. Sotto? ah nevermind),

I'm sorry if this question as already been asked, but I'm a college student interested in becoming an Imagineer. What do I need to do to take steps in the right direction? Is it just an architect/engineer field?

I know I am not Eddie (Just another aspiring Imagineer) but to answer your question I can tell you that there is far more in WDI than just Architects/Engineers. I am planning on being either a Writer or Show Producer (hopefully both). Eddie will tell you more but the Imagineering is just for engineers stuff is a myth. As a matter of fact many of the most famous Imagineers started in the Animation Studio.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Yes but you have to remember that we will not let the facts get in the way of a good argument. lol



I really think the majority of this land will be a Pandoran version of Harambe village. A Settlement that has been constructed on Pandora for the express purpose of catering to tourists. That is the only way you can thematically fit merchandise shops, restaurants, and bathrooms into Pandora. Also this will help to tie the new land into animal kingdom. You could even include a Pandoran Conservation station. One of the Attractions could be a Pandoran safari.
This land could further the message of conservation and living with a minimal impact on the land.

Is everybody sitting down? OK, now did you ever see Santa Clause 3, where Jack Frost became Santa and he turned the North Pole into a schlocky tourist trap kinda place... meet-n-greet Santa, stage shows, etc.? If you were building a theme park land of the North Pole, you would want the "pristine" version, and Pandora is the same way. It's special because not everybody can go there. The excitement of the movie was discovery! You can't betray that by overly-embracing the reality that there will be thousands of people all around you in this land; the challenge will be to make everyone feel like they are some of the first to explore the Pandoran forest while still dealing with the realities of a theme park.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

I know I am not Eddie (Just another aspiring Imagineer) but to answer your question I can tell you that there is far more in WDI than just Architects/Engineers. I am planning on being either a Writer or Show Producer (hopefully both). Eddie will tell you more but the Imagineering is just for engineers stuff is a myth. As a matter of fact many of the most famous Imagineers started in the Animation Studio.

Here's a site worth exploring that answers some of that.

www.themedattraction.com

 

[Eddie Sotto]

I'd be happy with one giant indoor, airconditioned, nighttime, glowing Pandoran forest. Sure, tuck in the shops and restaurants near the front (and maybe again at the middle), but otherwise just let it be exploring, much like the Tree of Life trails. Except in air conditioning. With amazing visual effects.

Rides? I probably wouldn't care if there were no rides at all. The Pandora forest is the star, IMHO.

Like Alice's Wonderland, the essence of the experience to Kevin is not the story, but being immersed in "the world" of Avatar. I'd like to be in Tron Legacy myself.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Starbucksing the maigc

After reading about another Disneyland in India being developed or at least explored, how many do you think is enough? Alain Littaye discusses this from a cultural point of view. Interesting read and worth the chat.

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/

 

[jt04]

After reading about another Disneyland in India being developed or explored, how many is enough?

If it has a unique layout as the new park in China has then I am all for it. Goodness knows we need all the exports we can get.

And soon TWDC will be able to say, "the sun never sets on a Disney castle" ........or something. :lol:

 

[RSoxNo1]

I'd be happy with one giant indoor, airconditioned, nighttime, glowing Pandoran forest. Sure, tuck in the shops and restaurants near the front (and maybe again at the middle), but otherwise just let it be exploring, much like the Tree of Life trails. Except in air conditioning. With amazing visual effects.

Rides? I probably wouldn't care if there were no rides at all. The Pandora forest is the star, IMHO.

The reason I'm excited about this land is that it should be visually pleasing. The attractions are the wild card here, and while personally I get a lot of satisfaction out of the Animal Kingdom, many people feel the park needs more rides.

I'm hoping for not only this incredibly themed environment, but also monumental attractions that can help drive attendance to the Animal Kingdom for years to come.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Interesting article, Eddie. I wonder how many people from India ever actually visit a theme park? Do they go to HKDL or Tokyo? How many make the obviously expensive trip to WDW or DL? Does Disney have any survey numbers to say that the populace would actually go to a Disney theme park, even if it was in their own back yard? I realize that the article mentioned that it might be 10 years off, but when you factor in the fact that it takes 5 years to build, and at least a few years to plan, something would have to be started relatively soon.

The theming would have to be totally different, as it will be in Shanghai. I think Disney is doing a much better job lately of understanding the local cultures of an area (Aulani for instance), than maybe they had in the past, and building that culture and heritage into a project that doesn't reside in California or Florida. This would certainly make it a unique park to visit.

So would I go visit a Disney theme park in India? Yes, eventually. My wife and I have plans to visit every Disney park in the world at some point, so if a new one were to open, we would visit.

 

[RandySavage]

Do they go to HKDL or Tokyo?

I don't have the link but I believe I've read the sizable number of visitors from the Indian subcontinent are helping to push HKDL towards profitability.

As a country, India seems a more Disney park-ready environment than China (pro-American, democracy, English speaking, etc.). I believe the Disney Channel is already well-ingrained there.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

And soon TWDC will be able to say, "the sun never sets on a Disney castle" ........or something. :lol:

they say that now..:ROFLOL:

 

[Eddie Sotto]

Interesting article, Eddie. I wonder how many people from India ever actually visit a theme park? Do they go to HKDL or Tokyo? How many make the obviously expensive trip to WDW or DL? Does Disney have any survey numbers to say that the populace would actually go to a Disney theme park, even if it was in their own back yard? I realize that the article mentioned that it might be 10 years off, but when you factor in the fact that it takes 5 years to build, and at least a few years to plan, something would have to be started relatively soon.

The theming would have to be totally different, as it will be in Shanghai. I think Disney is doing a much better job lately of understanding the local cultures of an area (Aulani for instance), than maybe they had in the past, and building that culture and heritage into a project that doesn't reside in California or Florida. This would certainly make it a unique park to visit.

So would I go visit a Disney theme park in India? Yes, eventually. My wife and I have plans to visit every Disney park in the world at some point, so if a new one were to open, we would visit.

There are interesting lessons in every park. Having worked on Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, you really get an appreciation for how other cultures not only think, but dine, behave in line, spend their money, and see your brand. Each culture filters the imagery of the parks and it means something different to them. You want to do what you are good at, but you have to realize that literally much can be lost in translation. That is why understanding positivism and building optimism is so important as you have to transcend the culture and reach the guest at a deeper emotional level. Silent Movies are the most universal thing I can imagine as you just read the faces. Chaplin was the most famous person on earth because of it. His feelings were universal and were simplistic. So you have to make a park emotionally "legible" to the guest and know what you want to say at the base level.

 

[Eddie Sotto]

If it has a unique layout as the new park in China has then I am all for it. Goodness knows we need all the exports we can get.

And soon TWDC will be able to say, "the sun never sets on a Disney castle" ........or something. :lol:

The interesting thing about these parks on foreign soil is that in some cases have to be built entirely with firms by that country. It's more about jobs for the host country than it is a desire for Disneyland. Especially when they are funded by the government.

 

[devoy1701]

After reading about another Disneyland in India being developed or at least explored, how many do you think is enough? Alain Littaye discusses this from a cultural point of view. Interesting read and worth the chat.

http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/

I actually found the SS Disney article more interesting than the Disney India article! Thank you for the link.

It's seeming more and more that the Disney Parks is one of the only truly Disney "franchises" that TWDC feels they can capitalize on. It doesn't seem like they have much faith in any other "Disney" property or in developing new fanchises to grow. I haven't fully developed this idea so what I'm trying to get at might not be completely clear...

I definitely think the world is becoming a little too saturated with Disney Parks. I am planning to visit all of them one day but they're building them faster than I can afford to visit them. So far I've only been able to cross off the domestic parks from my list.